What's wrong with this duck?--update possible good news

[desertdarlene]

Update: Tom was actually sleeping when I arrived and standing at the edge of the water. When he woke up, he didn't do any scratching at all! He looked like he had sand or dust on him, too. He wasn't in a good mood, though, and hissed at me when I came close and when I touched his tail, but otherwise not excessively grouchy. He even took a swim. So, maybe he finally got rid of the parasites (or lessened them) himself or someone read my blog post and gave him a dusting. Tom is particular as to who feeds him and likes to eat seed out of a cup that someone brings especially for him. That guy hasn't been around lately, so that could be why he was in a different area where people leave bread around.

The other duck that I posted photos of was still there and seemed slightly better. I do notice that he has been having problem walking around and looks like he's going to fall over in the front. But, he doesn't seem to be suffering and grooms himself like all the other ducks do.

 

[ejctm]

Just 2 random theories:

1. perhaps since he is young and possibly stupid, he ate some large stones (rather than nice small grit) and these cannot pass out of his crop either up or down? My ducks will put ANYTHING they find into their mouths, and will swallow large snails whole with the shell on! If this is the case with "your" duck, then over time you will see him lose weight and probably only surgery will help - perhaps the rescue organisations will step in then, or maybe a local veterinary college?

2. Perhaps, possibly due to moulting gone wrong, he has lost some of the waterproofing on his chest area and so this gets waterlogged when he swims, making it look like he is weighed down? They are usually pretty good at preening, so maybe he has a dietary deficiency meaning he is not making enough preening oil, or he is otherwise sick and is not preening for that reason?

May be none of the above, but tried to rack my brain to help!

 

[chicks4kids]

Quote:
I agree with this completely. In both regards--he looks like maybe he's too bulgy in the front from his profile pic. But the oil issue is another concern...when he gets out of the water is he saturated or does the water bead off of him? If it's not the oil issue, then I would definitely say he's weighted down in front (maybe a tumor even). I say if you can catch him, take him somewhere so that they can check him out. Best of luck to you and him

 

[desertdarlene]

Thanks for the advice. When he gets out of the water, he looks just fine and not waterlogged. But, I do agree with the possibility that he may have eaten some stones that were too big. He is drinking water and it's possible that some food may also be able to pass through.

I heard that excessive bread can do some damage to the gullet by creating a big wad, maybe that's what happened.

I will keep an eye on him. If it doesn't pass in a few days or a week or two and he starts to lose weight or seem weak, I may see if I can get him some help. I don't have any money right now, so it will have to be a rescue organization. I don't think he'll be hard to catch. Sometimes, things like this work themselves out with wild ducks or they adapt to it. Today, he looked slightly better, but still not right. I will see if I can check on him tomorrow.

**Edited to add that he could possibly the my "drama duckling" that is in the photo in my icon, but I can't be sure. He was such a silly duckling, always getting in trouble and needing to be rescued. I hope it's not him and I hope he's gonna be OK.

 

[sandcat]

He looks exactly like the wild drake that recently joined my flock, I just assumed he was really old as he didnt look very nice, he has just been kicked out by my new drake, poor thing i feel sorry for it now The wild drake that looks exactly like yours has something wrong with its foot too i think as it walks oddly, cant believe how identical they are. I will try to get a pic of it and show you

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
Yes, he walks oddly, too. He has a slightly turned in foot, but mostly he acts like he can't keep his balance and almost falls over in front. I don't think he's that old, possibly one of this year's early ducklings. Mentally, he seems just fine, not hurt at all.

 

[desertdarlene]

I went over and checked on all the ducks tonight and I'm not 100% sure if I saw the duck with this problem, though I think I did. He has that turned-in foot that makes him look different, plus he's less afraid of me than the others and reluctant to swim. Well, it looks like he's getting better. He's still sinking in the front, but not as bad.

I will check tomorrow morning and see if I can find him, again. I am thinking that maybe he overstuffed himself and ate too much bread and it got into a large, heavy wad in his gullet and that was weighing him down. If I am sure I've found him tomorrow, I will take a photo of him.

 

[desertdarlene]

I checked today and I think I found him. He's much better, though still not swimming very well. But, his head is above water and I think he can fly. He is also walking better, too. I'm glad that this is passing and he's going to be OK. I hope he learned his lesson.